Vibration motor

ABSTRACT

A vibration motor is provided, comprising a case having an upper case and a lower case which are coupled to each other; a shaft installed in the case while being supported by the case; a rotor rotatably coupled with the shaft; a stator arranged around the shaft; a first substrate installed on an upper surface of the lower case; and a second substrate coupled to a lower surface of the lower case and electrically connected to the first substrate. The lower case has a first opening and the first substrate is electrically connected to the second substrate through the first opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. Application Ser. No.11/871,724, filed Oct. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,781,927, issuedAug. 24, 2010, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of KoreanPatent Application Nos. 10-2006-0099703, filed Oct. 13, 2006,10-2007-0062387, filed Jun. 25, 2007, 10-2007-0068386, filed Jul. 7,2007, 10-2007-0074717, filed Jul. 25, 2007, and 10-2007-0078548, filedAug. 6, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

A vibration motor typically includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor maybe an eccentric rotor. In operation, as power is applied to thevibration motor, the eccentric rotor rotates so that vibration isgenerated.

Vibration motors are applicable for various electronic appliances, suchas, for example, mobile terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs),and game players.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a vibration motor.

An embodiment provides a vibration motor, which can be easily mounted inan electronic appliance.

Another embodiment provides a vibration motor, which can be fabricatedin a small size.

Yet another embodiment provides a vibration motor, which can be securelycoupled with an electronic appliance.

A vibration motor according to an embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: a case including an upper case and a lower case which arecoupled to each other; a shaft installed in the case while beingsupported by the case; a rotor rotatably coupled with the shaft; astator arranged around the shaft; a first substrate installed on anupper surface of the lower case; and a second substrate coupled to alower surface of the lower case and electrically connected to the firstsubstrate, wherein the lower case has a first opening and the firstsubstrate is electrically connected to the second substrate through thefirst opening.

In one embodiment, the vibration motor comprises a case including anupper case and a lower case which are coupled to each other; a shaftinstalled in the case while being supported by the case; a rotorrotatably coupled with the shaft; a stator arranged around the shaft; afirst substrate installed on an upper surface of the lower case; and asecond substrate accommodated in a concave portion formed in a lowersurface of the lower case and electrically connected to the firstsubstrate.

In another embodiment, the vibration motor comprises a case including anupper case and a lower case which are coupled to each other; a shaftinstalled in the case while being supported by the case; a rotorrotatably coupled with the shaft; a stator arranged around the shaft;and a first substrate having a first section installed on an uppersurface of the lower case and a second section which protrudes betweenthe lower and upper cases and is accommodated in a concave portionformed in a lower surface of the lower case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing a vibration motor according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing a vibration motor according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 to 11 are views showing a vibration motor according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12 to 14 are views showing a vibration motor according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are views showing a vibration motor according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a vibration motor according to embodiments of the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to accompanyingdrawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration motor according to afirst embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view representing a firstsubstrate, a lower case, and a second substrate of the vibration motorshown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the second substrateshown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the vibration motor according to the firstembodiment includes a case 130 having an upper case 120 and a lower case110, which are coupled to each other while forming a predeterminedcavity therebetween.

The upper case 120 has an upper plate and a side plate, and the lowercase 110 has a lower plate and a side plate. A lower end portion of theside plate of the upper case 120 is coupled with an upper end portion ofthe side plate of the lower case 110. The upper plate of the upper case120 and the lower plate of the lower case 110 constitute upper and lowerplates of the case 130, respectively.

One end of a shaft 140 is supported on the upper case 120 and the otherend of the shaft 140 is supported on the lower case 110.

A first substrate 170, which can be prepared in the form of an FPCB(flexible printed circuit board), is coupled to the upper surface of thelower case 110, and a ring-shaped magnet 172 is coupled to an upperperipheral portion of the lower case 110 to surround the shaft 140. Themagnet 172 serves as a stator.

A bearing 150 is fitted around the shaft 140, and an eccentric rotor 160is rotatably coupled around the bearing 150. The rotor 160 can include arotor substrate 161, a winding coil 163 installed on an upper surface ofthe rotor substrate 161, a metallic weight 162 installed on the uppersurface of the rotor substrate 161 to generate vibration byeccentricity, and a base 164, which can be a molding member made fromsynthetic resin. The base 164 integrally combines the rotor substrate161, the coil 163 and the weight 162.

As external power is applied to the coil 163, rotational force isapplied to the coil 163 due to interaction between the electric fieldgenerated from the coil 163 and the electric field generated from themagnet 172, so that the rotor 160 coupled with the coil 163 is rotatedwhile generating vibration.

A rectifier 165 can be coupled to a lower surface of the rotor substrate161. The rectifier 165 is electrically connected to the coil 163 throughthe rotor substrate 161.

A brush 171 is positioned between the rotor substrate 161 and the firstsubstrate 170. One side of the brush 171 is electrically connected tothe first substrate 170 and the other side of the brush 171 iselectrically connected to the rectifier 165.

Thus, the external power can be applied to the rotor substrate 161 byway of the first substrate 170, the brush 171 and the rectifier 165.

A second substrate 180 is coupled to a lower surface of the lower case110 such that the second substrate 180 can be electrically connected tothe first substrate 170.

That is, an opening 110 a can be provided in the lower case 110 and thefirst substrate 170 is coupled with the second substrate 180 through theopening 110 a, so that the first substrate 170 is electrically connectedto the second substrate 180.

The first substrate 170 can include an upper part coupled to the lowercase 110, a lower part coupled to the second substrate 180, and aninclined part that interconnects the upper part and the lower part.

In this embodiment, the lower part of the first substrate 170 and thelower surface of the lower case 110 are aligned in the same horizontalplane. In addition, the inclined part and the lower part of the firstsubstrate 170 are disposed in the opening 110 a of the lower case 110while being spaced apart from the lower case 110.

The opening 110 a has an area larger than the lower part of the firstsubstrate 170. The inclined part of the first substrate 170 brings thelower part of the first substrate 170 below the magnet 170 and spacedapart from the magnet 172 by a predetermined distance.

Referring to FIG. 2, first terminals 173 are provided on a lower surfaceof the lower part of the first substrate 170 such that the firstterminals 173 can be electrically connected to the second substrate 180.In addition, second terminals 181 are provided on an upper surface ofthe second substrate 180 such that the second terminals 181 can beelectrically connected to the first terminals 173.

That is, the first terminals 173 of the first substrate 170 make contactwith the second terminals 181 of the second substrate 180, so that thepower applied to the second substrate 180 is transferred to the firstsubstrate 170.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a third terminal 183 can be formed on alower surface of the second substrate 180. The third terminal 183 iselectrically connected to the second terminals 181 and is coupled with asubstrate of an electronic appliance receiving the vibration motor, sothat the third terminal 183 is electrically connected to the electronicappliance.

Thus, the power of the electronic appliance can be applied to the coil163 by way of the third terminal 183 of the second substrate 180, thesecond terminals 181 of the second substrate 180, the first terminals173 of the first substrate 170, the brush 171, the rectifier 165, andthe rotor substrate 161.

The first terminal 173, the second terminal 181, and the third terminal183 are designed such that positive (+) and negative (−) power can beapplied thereto. According to an embodiment, the first substrate 170,the second substrate 180 and the rotor substrate 161 are provided withvias filled with conductive materials and a circuit pattern in such amanner that the positive (+) and negative (−) power can be separatelyapplied thereto.

In addition, a bonding section 182 can be formed on the upper surface ofthe second substrate for the purpose of soldering or bonding between thesecond substrate 180 and the lower case 110. The second substrate 180has a size smaller than that of the lower case 110.

According to the vibration motor of the first embodiment, the secondsubstrate 180 is a hard substrate and is coupled to the lower surface ofthe lower case 110, so that the vibration motor can be easily mounted inthe electronic appliance. In addition, the vibration motor can beinstalled in the electronic appliance through an automation process.

In the vibration motor according to the first embodiment, the thirdterminal 183 of the second substrate 180 has a circular-shaped negative(−) terminal and a ring-shaped positive (+) terminal that surrounds thenegative (−) terminal while being spaced apart from the negative (−)terminal, so that the third terminal 183 can be connected to a powerterminal of the electronic appliance. Thus, electric connection can beeasily achieved regardless of the installation direction of thevibration motor on the substrate of the electronic appliance.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the first embodiment,since the first and second substrates 170 and 180 have the size smallerthan that of the lower case 110, it is possible to reduce theinstallation space for the vibration motor in the electronic appliance.

Further, according to the vibration motor of the first embodiment, thefirst substrate 170 is electrically connected to the second substrate180 by passing through the lower plate of the lower case 110, so thatthe size of the vibration motor can be minimized.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration motor according to asecond embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view representing a firstsubstrate, a lower case, and a second substrate of the vibration motorshown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing avibration motor installed on a substrate of an electronic applianceaccording to the second embodiment.

The following description of the second embodiment will be focused onthe differences relative to the above-mentioned first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first substrate 270 is mounted on an uppersurface of a lower case 110 and a second substrate 280 is mounted on alower surface of the lower case 110.

An upper surface of the first substrate 270 is aligned in the samehorizontal plane with an upper surface of a part of the lower case 110.That is, a first concave portion 112 is provided in an upper surface ofa lower plate of the lower case 110 and the first substrate 270 isfixedly accommodated in the first concave portion 112.

The lower and side surfaces of the first substrate 270 make contact withthe lower case 110 while being surrounded by the lower case 110.

Accordingly, the thickness of the vibration motor can be reduced by thethickness of the first substrate 270 and the first substrate 270 can besecurely coupled to the lower case 110.

The lower surface of the second substrate 280 is aligned in the samehorizontal plate with a lower surface of a part of the lower plate ofthe lower case 110. That is, a second concave portion 111 is provided inthe lower surface of the lower plate of the lower case 110 and thesecond substrate 280 is accommodated in the second concave portion 111.

The second substrate 280 has a size smaller than that of the lower case110. In addition, the upper and side surfaces of the second substrate280 make contact with the lower case 110 while being surrounded by thelower case 110.

Accordingly, the thickness of the vibration motor can be reduced by thethickness of the second substrate 280 and the second substrate 280 canbe securely coupled to the lower case 110.

In addition, since the lower surface of the second substrate is alignedin the same horizontal plane with the lower surface of the part of thelower plate of the lower case 110, the second substrate 280 can beelectrically connected to a substrate 290 of an electronic appliance andthe lower surface of the lower case 210 can be coupled to the substrate290 of the electronic appliance.

FIG. 6 shows a power terminal 291, which is formed on a substrate 290 ofthe electronic appliance for the purpose of electric connection relativeto a third terminal 281 of the second substrate 280. As shown in FIG. 6,the lower case 110 can be coupled to the substrate 290 of the electronicappliance by means of a bonding member 292. For instance, the bondingmember 292 may include a soldering material or an adhesive.

Meanwhile, the first substrate 270 is electrically connected to thesecond substrate 280 through a conductive member 273. The conductivemember 273 is disposed in an opening 110 a provided in the lower case110.

The conductive member 273 may include two metallic members such thatpositive (+) power and negative (−) power can be separately applied tothe conductive member 273. The conductive member 273 is spaced apartfrom a side surface of the lower case 110 that defines the opening 110a.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conductive member 273 attached to the firstsubstrate 270. However, in other embodiments, the conductive member 273can also be attached to the second substrate 280.

The third terminal 281 of the second substrate 280 includes acircular-shaped negative (−) terminal and a ring-shaped positive (+)terminal, which is spaced apart from the circular-shaped negative (−)terminal and surrounds the circular-shaped negative (−) terminal, sothat the third terminal 281 of the second substrate 280 can be coupledto the power terminal 291 of the electronic appliance.

Thus, electric connection can be easily achieved regardless of theinstallation direction of the vibration motor on the substrate 290 ofthe electronic appliance.

According to the vibration motor of the second embodiment, the lowercase 110 is directly coupled to the substrate 290 of the electronicappliance so that the vibration motor can be securely installed in theelectronic appliance and vibration generated from the vibration motorcan be effectively transferred to the electronic appliance.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the second embodiment,the first and second substrates 270 and 280 are accommodated in thefirst and second concave portions 112 and 111 formed in the lower case210, respectively, so that the thickness of the vibration motor can bereduced.

Further, according to the vibration motor of the second embodiment, thesecond substrate 280 has a size smaller than that of the lower case 110,so that the installation space for the vibration motor in the electronicappliance can be reduced.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the second embodiment,the first substrate 270 is electrically connected to the secondsubstrate 280 through an aperture in the lower plate of the lower case110, so that the size of the vibration motor can be minimized.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 7 to 11 are views showing a vibration motor according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration motor according to thethird embodiment, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective viewsrepresenting a first substrate, a lower case, and a second substrate ofthe vibration motor shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the vibration motor according to the thirdembodiment includes a case 330 having an upper case 320 and a lower case310, which are coupled to each other while forming a predeterminedcavity therebetween.

The upper case 320 has an upper plate and a side plate, and the lowercase 310 has a lower plate and a side plate. A lower end portion of theside plate of the upper case 320 is coupled with an upper end portion ofthe side plate of the lower case 310. The upper plate of the upper case320 and the lower plate of the lower case 310 constitute upper and lowerplates of the case 330, respectively.

One end of a shaft 340 is supported on the upper case 320 and the otherend of the shaft 340 is supported on the lower case 310. A bearing 350is fitted around the shaft 340.

An eccentric rotor 360 is rotatably coupled around the bearing 350 togenerate vibration.

The rotor 360 can include a magnet 361, a metallic weight 362 forgenerating vibration by eccentricity, and a rotor yoke 363 for fixingthe magnet 361 and the weight 362.

A first substrate 370 is fixed to the upper surface of the lower case310, and a coil 371 is installed on the upper surface of the firstsubstrate 370. The coil 371 serves as a stator.

A second substrate 380 is mounted on a lower surface of the lower case310 in such a manner that the second substrate 380 can be electricallyconnected to the first substrate 370. The second substrate 380 can beelectrically connected to a substrate 390 of an electronic appliance.

The second substrate 380 can be soldered to the substrate 390 of theelectronic appliance through a reflow process. A third terminal 382 isprovided on the lower surface of the second substrate 380 such that thethird terminal 382 can be electrically connected to the substrate 390 ofthe electronic appliance.

Thus, as the power of the electronic appliance is applied to the coil371 through the second substrate 380 and the first substrate 370, anelectric field is generated between the coil 371 and the magnet 361, sothat the rotor 360 is rotated while generating vibration.

The lower case 310 has an opening 310 a and the first substrate 370 hasan opening 370 that faces the opening 310 a. A conductive member 373 isdisposed in the openings 310 a and 370 a. The conductive member 373 canbe coupled to both the first and second substrates 370 and 380 in orderto electrically connect the first substrate 370 to the second substrate380.

Referring to FIG. 8, first terminals 375 can be installed on the firstsubstrate 370 and second terminals 381 can be installed on the secondsubstrate 380. In addition, the first terminals 375 can be electricallyconnected to the second terminals 381 by the conductive member 373.

For instance, the conductive member 373 can include a FPCB (flexibleprinted circuit board).

The opening 370 a provided in the first substrate 370 can be smallerthan the opening 310 a provided in the lower case 310, and the opening370 a of the first substrate 370 is positioned above the opening 310 ofthe lower case 310.

The difference in the sizes of the openings 370 a and 310 a inhibit thelower case 310 from being electrically connected to the first substrate370 by soldering materials when the conductive member 373 is soldered tothe first substrate 370.

The lower surface of the second substrate 380 can be aligned in the samehorizontal plane with a lower surface of a part of a lower plate of thelower case 310. In addition, the side and upper surfaces of the secondsubstrate 380 make contact with the lower case 310 while beingsurrounded by the lower case 310.

That is, a second concave portion 311 is provided in the lower surfaceof the lower plate of the lower case and the second substrate 380 can befixedly accommodated in the second concave portion 311.

Thus, the thickness of the vibration motor can be reduced by thethickness of the second substrate 380 and the second substrate 380 canbe securely coupled to the lower case 310.

In addition, since the lower surface of the second substrate 380 isaligned in the same horizontal plane with the lower surface of the partof the lower plate of the lower case 310, the second substrate 380 iselectrically connected to the substrate 390 of the electronic applianceand the lower surface of the lower case 310 can be coupled to thesubstrate 390 of the electronic appliance.

In FIG. 8, reference numerals 374 and 372 represent a cogging plate anda control chip, respectively.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a conductive member for electrically connecting thefirst substrate to the second substrate according to another embodiment.

The conductive member 373 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 can be prepared as aFPCB having a circuit pattern therein such that positive (+) power andnegative (−) power can be separately applied to the conductive member373. However, the conductive member 373B shown in FIGS. 10 and 11employs two FPCBs or two metallic members such that positive (+) powerand negative (−) power can be separately applied to the conductivemember 373B.

A connection piece 373Ba can be provided at an end portion of theconductive member 373B soldered to the first substrate 370 in order tointegrally connect the two FPCBs or the two metallic members to eachother.

After soldering the FPCBs or the metallic members, which are integrallyconnected to each other by the connection piece 373Ba, to the first andsecond substrates 370 and 380, the connection piece 373Ba can be cut, sothat positive (+) power and negative (−) power can be separately appliedin a state in which the first substrate 370 is electrically connected tothe second substrate 380.

The connection piece 373Ba allows the conductive member 373 to be easilysoldered to the first and second substrates 370 and 380.

According to the vibration motor of the third embodiment, the lower case310 is directly coupled to the substrate 390 of the electronicappliance, so that the vibration motor can be securely installed in theelectronic appliance and vibration generated from the vibration motorcan be effectively transferred to the electronic appliance.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the third embodiment,the second substrate 380 is fixedly accommodated in the second concaveportion 311 formed in the lower case, so that the thickness of thevibration motor can be reduced.

Further, according to the vibration motor of the third embodiment, thesecond substrate 380 has a size smaller than that of the lower case 310,so that the installation space for the vibration motor in the electronicappliance can be reduced.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the third embodiment,the first substrate 370 is electrically connected to the secondsubstrate 380 through the lower plate of the lower case 310, so that thesize of the vibration motor can be minimized.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration motor according to afourth embodiment, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are exploded perspective viewsrepresenting a first substrate, a lower case, and a second substrate ofthe vibrational motor shown in FIG. 12.

The following description of the fourth embodiment will be focused onthe differences relative to the above-mentioned third embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, a first substrate 470 is fixedly mounted onan upper surface of a lower case 310 and a coil 370 can be installed onthe first substrate 470.

A second substrate 480 is mounted on a lower surface of the lower case310 in such a manner that the second substrate 480 can be electricallyconnected to the first substrate 470. The second substrate 480 can besoldered to a substrate 390 of an electronic appliance through, forexample, a reflow process, so that the second substrate 480 iselectrically connected to the substrate 390 of the electronic appliance.

A third terminal 482 soldered to the substrate 390 of the electronicappliance is provided on the lower surface of the second substrate 480.

An opening 310 a is provided in the lower case 310 and a part of thefirst substrate 470 is coupled to the second substrate 480 through theopening 310 a, so that the first substrate 470 is electrically connectedto the second substrate 480.

A connection piece 473 can be formed at a predetermined portion of thefirst substrate 470 by partially cutting the predetermined portion ofthe first substrate 470 in a substantially U-shape. The connection piece473 is bent downward and can be soldered to the second substrate 480through the opening 310 a.

A first terminal 475 is provided on the connection piece 473 and asecond terminal 481 is provided on the second substrate 480 in such amanner that the second terminal 481 can be electrically connected to thefirst terminal 475. That is, the first terminal 475 can be connected tothe second terminal 481 through a soldering process, so that the firstsubstrate 470 is electrically connected to the second substrate 480.

An upper surface of the first substrate 470 within the substantiallyU-shape cut is bent under and makes contact with an upper surface of thesecond substrate 480.

A second concave portion 311 is formed in the lower surface of the lowercase 310 and the second substrate 480 is fixedly accommodated in thesecond concave portion 311. Side and upper surfaces of the secondsubstrate 480 make contact with the lower case 310 while beingsurrounded by the lower case 310.

A lower surface of a part of a lower plate of the lower case 310 isaligned in the same horizontal plane with the lower surface of thesecond substrate 480.

In addition, a lower surface of a side plate of the upper case 320aligned in the same horizontal plane with a lower surface of a part of alower plate of the lower case 310 and a lower surface of the secondsubstrate 480.

According to the vibration motor of the fourth embodiment, the lowercase 310 is directly coupled to the substrate 390 of the electronicappliance, so that the vibration motor can be securely installed in theelectronic appliance and vibration generated from the vibration motorcan be effectively transferred to the electronic appliance.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the fourth embodiment,the second substrate 480 is fixedly accommodated in the second concaveportion 311 formed in the lower case 310, so that the thickness of thevibration motor can be reduced.

Further, according to the vibration motor of the fourth embodiment, thesecond substrate 480 has a size smaller than that of the lower case 310,so that the installation space for the vibration motor in the electronicappliance can be reduced.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the fourth embodiment,the first substrate 470 is electrically connected to the secondsubstrate 480 through the lower plate of the lower case 310, so that thesize of the vibration motor can be minimized.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration motor according to afifth embodiment, FIG. 16 is a perspective view representing a firstsubstrate, a lower case, and a substrate of an electronic appliance ofthe embodiment shown FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a perspective viewrepresenting the bottom of the first substrate and the lower case shownin FIG. 16.

The following description of the fifth embodiment will be focused on thedifferences relative to the above-mentioned third embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, the vibration motor according to the fifthembodiment includes a case 330 having an upper case 320 and a lower case310, which are coupled to each other while forming a predeterminedcavity therebetween.

A first substrate 570 is fixedly mounted on an upper surface of thelower case 310 and a part of the first substrate 570 extends to theexterior through the cavity formed between the lower case 310 and theupper case 320.

A part of the first substrate 570 is bent to fold around a side andlower surface of the lower case 310, and is fixedly accommodated in afirst concave portion 313 formed in a lower surface of the lower case310. Thus, the bent part of the first substrate 570 can be securelycoupled to the lower surface of the lower case 310.

The bent part of the first substrate 570 and a lower surface of a partof the lower case 310 are aligned in the same horizontal plane. Inaddition, the bent part of the first substrate 570 makes contact withlower and side surfaces of the lower case 310 while being surrounded bythe lower and side surfaces of the lower case 310.

The lower case 310 and the bent part of the first substrate 570 on thelower surface of the lower case 310 are coupled with the substrate 390of the electronic appliance. Thus, vibration generated from thevibration motor can be effectively transferred to the electronicappliance.

A plurality of terminals 575 a, 575 b and 575 c can be provided on thefirst substrate 570. The terminals 575 a, 575 b and 575 c are solderedto power terminals 391 a, 391 b and 391 c provided on the substrate 390of the electronic appliance, so that the first substrate 570 iselectrically connected to the substrate 390 of the electronic appliance.

A coil 371 that serves as a stator is installed on the portion of thefirst substrate 570 on the upper surface of the lower case 310. As poweris supplied to the coil 371 from the substrate 390 of the electronicappliance through the first substrate 570, electromagnetic force isgenerated between the coil 371 and the magnet 361, so that the rotor 360is rotated by the electromagnetic force while generating vibration.

According to the vibration motor of the fifth embodiment, a positive (+)terminal 575 a and a negative (−) terminal 575 b are provided on thefirst substrate 570. The positive (+) terminal 575 a and the negative(−) terminal 575 b have ring shapes with different diameters and areelectrically separated from each other. In addition, a part of the firstsubstrate is bent and is securely accommodated in the first concaveportion 313 of the lower case 310. In this state, the positive (+)terminal 575 a and the negative (−) terminal 575 b face the substrate390 of the electronic appliance.

In addition, a positive (+) terminal 391 a and a negative (−) terminal391 b are provided on the substrate 390 of the electronic appliance incorrespondence with the positive (+) terminal 575 a and the negative (−)terminal 575 b of the first substrate 570. The positive (+) terminal 575a and the negative (−) terminal 575 b are soldered to the positive (+)terminal 391 a and the negative (−) terminal 391 b, so that the firstsubstrate 570 is electrically connected to the substrate 390 of theelectronic appliance.

Since the positive (+) terminal 575 a and the negative (−) terminal 575b of the first substrate 570 and the positive (+) terminal 391 a and thenegative (−) terminal 391 b of the substrate 390 of the electronicappliance have ring shapes, electric connection can be achievedregardless of the installation direction of the vibration motor.

Meanwhile, if the external power supplied to the coil 371 is shut off,the rotor 360 should stop its rotation. However, the rotor 360 maycontinuously rotate due to inertia even if the external power is shutoff.

The rotation time of the rotor 360, after the external power supplied tothe coil 371 has been shut off, is referred to as “falling time.”According to the vibration motor of the fifth embodiment, a controlterminal 575 c is provided on the first substrate 570 in order toshorten the falling time. In the same manner, a control terminal 391 cis provided on the substrate 390 of the electronic appliancecorresponding to the first substrate 570.

When the power supplied to the coil 371 is shut off, a signal is appliedto the control terminal 575 c to urge the rotor 360 in the directionopposite to the rotational direction of the rotor 360. Thus, the fallingtime can be shortened.

According to the vibration motor of the fifth embodiment, the lower case310 is directly coupled to the substrate 390 of the electronicappliance, so that the vibration motor can be securely installed in theelectronic appliance and vibration generated from the vibration motorcan be effectively transferred to the electronic appliance.

In addition, according to the vibration motor of the fifth embodiment, apart of the first substrate 570 is fixedly accommodated in the firstconcave portion 313 formed in the lower case 310, so that the thicknessof the vibration motor can be reduced.

Further, according to the vibration motor of the fifth embodiment, thefirst substrate 570 coupled on the lower surface of the lower case 310has a size smaller than that of the lower case 310, so that theinstallation space for the vibration motor in the electronic appliancecan be reduced.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A vibration motor comprising: a case including an upper case and alower case which are coupled to each other, wherein the lower caseincludes an opening; a shaft in the case while being supported by thecase; a rotor rotatably coupled with the shaft; a stator arranged aroundthe shaft; a first substrate on an upper surface of the lower case; asecond substrate accommodated in a concave portion of a lower surface ofthe lower case and electrically connected to the first substrate; and atleast two conductive members disposed in an opening of the lower case toelectrically connect the first substrate to the second substrate;wherein the at least two conductive members are disposed between thefirst substrate and the second substrate; wherein a height of each ofthe at least two conductive members is substantially the same as aheight of the opening of the lower case; and wherein the at least twoconductive members are electrically separated from each other, spacedfrom the lower case, and electrically separated from the lower case. 2.The vibration motor according to claim 1, wherein the opening issurrounded by a first portion and a second portion of the lower case,and wherein the first portion has a height greater than a height of thesecond portion.
 3. The vibration motor according to claim 2, wherein theheight of each of the at least two conductive members is substantiallysame with the height of the second portion of the lower case.
 4. Thevibration motor according to claim 1, wherein the conductive membercomprises a metallic member.
 5. The vibration motor according to claim1, wherein the first substrate is accommodated in a concave portion ofan upper surface of the lower case.
 6. The vibration motor according toclaim 1, wherein a part of the lower surface of the lower case isaligned in a same horizontal plane with a lower-most surface of thesecond substrate.
 7. The vibration motor according to claim 1, whereinside surfaces of the first substrate make contact with the lower case.8. The vibration motor according to claim 1, wherein the first substratecomprises a first terminal provided on a lower surface thereof, andwherein the second substrate comprises a second terminal provided on theupper surface thereof, wherein the second terminal is electricallyconnected to the first terminal.
 9. The vibration motor according toclaim 8, wherein the second substrate comprises a third terminalprovided on a lower surface thereof.
 10. The vibration motor accordingto claim 9, wherein the third terminal comprises a circular-shapedterminal and a ring-shaped terminal that surrounds the circular-shapedterminal while being spaced apart from the circular-shaped terminal.